In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set rules to control lead in drinking water through the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) within the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Lead contamination in drinking water may result from corrosion of plumbing materials. Water systems are required by the LCR to control the corrosivity of the water. Water systems are required to collect samples from taps in older homes (typically built before 1988) where lead pipes may be present.
In 2021, additional regulatory requirements were introduced by the EPA when they published the Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR).
New requirements in the revision include:
- Complete service line inventory to locate and replace lead pipes
- Strengthening requirements to control pipe corrosion
- Enhanced sampling techniques to improve sample analysis reliability
- Improved public education and outreach materials
- Prioritizing protection of children through sampling of schools and childcare facilities